Songs From the Sparkle Lounge (Universal)

Creatively, Def Leppard has a “Rock of Ages”–sized problem. Fans want a new “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, while critics groan when the venerable British pop-metal outfit revisits the 1980s’ formula of hyper-processed guitars and mega-chorus vocals that it pioneered with producer Mutt Lange. And no matter what it does nowadays, the group can’t seem to stop ripping itself off.

Perhaps the Lepps thought they had a solution this time. On their first new album of original material since 2002’s X, nine of the 11 songs were written by individual band members, which differs from their usual let’s-all-pitch-in approach. But it doesn’t matter: the result is simply a diminished version of what once made these Sheffield lads shine.

“Go” rehashes other Def Leppard album openers, with rap-flavoured vocal melodies like “Demolition Man” on 1999’s Euphoria, quasi-exotic six-string oomph similar to “Desert Song” on 1993’s Retro Active, and a just-too-simple chorus like X’s “Now”. “Nine Lives,” the riff-driven first single, makes modest strides toward reviving the more stripped-down appeal of 1981’s High and Dry, but including Tim McGraw’s country drawl is an abominable anomaly that won’t likely snare a crossover audience. Half the fun of multiplatinum platters such as Pyromania and Hysteria was trying to decipher the lyrics, but it’s all too clear here on the lush ballad “Love” that singer Joe Elliott is rhyming “heart”, “start”, and “tear it apart”. Sadly, Songs From the Sparkle Lounge is as stale as a pair of unwashed Union Jack boxer shorts.